Ukraine Puts Two Additional Patriot Air Defense Systems on Combat Duty
Ukraine has placed two additional Patriot air defense systems on active combat duty.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense.
The newly deployed systems are already tasked with shielding major cities and key infrastructure facilities. The deployment follows recent defense agreements reached with Germany, which helped accelerate the delivery of the systems.
The Patriot system, produced in the United States, is designed to intercept aircraft as well as cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles. Ukrainian officials emphasize that it provides multi-layered air and missile defense for both strategic facilities and densely populated urban areas.
The Ministry of Defense outlined several advantages that make the Patriot system a cornerstone of Ukraine’s air defense network.
First of all, the system can engage a wide range of aerodynamic and ballistic threats, including hypersonic weapons. Ukrainian officials say Patriot interceptors have proven capable of countering Russia’s Zircon and Kinzhal missiles, which fly at extreme speeds.
Secondly, advanced radar technology allows the system to detect and track multiple targets simultaneously. The PAC-3 MSE interceptor variant uses hit-to-kill technology, increasing effectiveness against ballistic missiles.
Thirdly, a single Patriot battery is designed for high-intensity, multi-layered air defense operations: it can detect up to 100 targets simultaneously and track several of them at once, allowing operators to manage complex, saturated attack scenarios.
The system also features an automatic mode, which enables rapid, near-instant reactions to sudden or high-speed threats without constant manual input. Finally, with interceptors capable of engaging targets at altitudes of up to 24 kilometers and ranges of up to 160 kilometers, Patriot provides wide-area coverage and a robust defensive shield for cities, critical infrastructure, and military assets.
Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that Berlin will deliver the two additional Patriot systems promised to Ukraine, along with a ninth IRIS-T air defense system, by the end of 2025.
As The Gaze previously reported, Ukraine strengthens defense cooperation with Germany through major agreements worth over €1.2 billion.
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